Singer Suneeta Rao has expressed solidarity with young people amid the ongoing Gen Z protests, saying her 1991 song ‘Pakke Irade’, from the album Dhuan, continues to resonate with the sentiments of the youth in the current situation.
Rao took to Instagram and shared a video montage featuring a series of images from the protests. Raising concerns over what she described as the suppression of dissent and the alleged brutalisation of children, the singer declared that “enough is enough” and called for greater support for young people.
In her post, Rao wrote, “PAKKE IRADE! This song released on my album ‘DHUAN’ in 1991 echoes the sentiments of the youth today. With everything that’s happening in the country—dissent being disallowed instead of being heard and protected—voices being stifled—children being brutalised—listen to the lyrics of this song released so long ago which are so relevant even today.”
Quoting the song’s lyrics, “Pathar ke hain vaade pakke irade toote na!”, she added, “Enough is enough. Shame on the powers that be and more power to our spirited and determined youth. I am with you!”
Through her post, Rao highlighted the enduring relevance of the song’s message of determination and resilience, while extending her support to the young protesters.
Rao began her musical career with the song ‘Suneeta Senorita’ in 1989 and later became widely recognised for her popular track ‘Paree Hoon Main’.
In 1991, she released the Hindi pop album Dhuan with Gramophone Company India. Featuring music by Lesle Lewis, the album sold more than 75,000 copies. The song ‘Paree Hoon Main’ and its music video became major milestones in her career, earning her the affectionate media nickname “Paree of the Masses”.
Rao’s early association with composer A. R. Rahman included ‘Adi Paru Mangatha’ from the 1994 Tamil film May Madham.
She later returned to the charts with the upbeat, folk-inspired tracks ‘Dehka Dehka’ and ‘Kesariya’. She also released the single and music video ‘Chhoti Chhoti Baatein’ as part of the Magnasound album A Reason To Smile, marking 50 years of Indian Independence. Rao also featured in the album’s group song ‘Wajah Muskurane Ki’.